Arkansas punts away Sugar Bowl

#6 Ohio State (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) defeated #8 Arkansas (10-3, 6-2 SEC) tonight in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans by a score of 31-26. The Buckeyes led 28-7 late in the first half, but the Razorbacks were able to chip away at the deficit and make a game of it. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a solid game for Ohio State and was effective in passing and running the ball. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett also played well despite his costly interception at the end of the game.

It's hard to blame Mallett too much for the loss as he was victimized by several key drops by his receivers of very catchable passes that often hit them right in between the numbers. It was frustrating to watch. The biggest mistake, though, came when Arkansas blocked an Ohio State punt with about a minute to go in the game. Rather than scooping up the ball and scoring, the Razorbacks fell on the ball around the 15 yard line. There was nothing but open space between the players and the end zone. The argument that they should have been sure to recover the ball does not have merit as even if Ohio State had somehow managed to recover it, it still would have been Arkansas ball in great field position.

That being said, the Hogs still had a great chance to score. The interception came after another dropped pass by one of Mallett's receivers. And since we're on the topic of mistakes, let's not forget that Arkansas whiffed on recovering a fumble deep in their own territory that they absolutely should have had, but allowed it to bounce into the end zone and be recovered for a Buckeyes touchdown. One of the things that really grills me the most is all the dropped passes by Arkansas receivers. It's not like those were balls that were difficult to catch. The balls were right there. This is the big leagues, big time college football and a BCS Bowl game. Those plays have to be made. Then again, maybe this shows that the SEC isn't as invincible, perfect and impenetrable as though commentators on CBS always make it sound. Mallett looks like he is ready for the NFL to me and maybe he'd like throwing to guys who can actually catch the ball for a change.

It was ridiculous that Pryor and the other Ohio State players who were found to be in violation of NCAA rules were allowed to play in this game. To recap, the players were found to have received tattoos in exchange for autographs which constitutes a violation of rules. The NCAA ruled that they will be suspended for the first five games of next season. However, the players were allowed to play in tonight's game. This is utterly absurd. Breaking the rules is breaking the rules and the punishments should be put in place immediately. The NCAA diminished its own credibility by allowing this to happen. There is no way that Ohio State would have won this game without the suspended players, who among other things contributed the winning interception.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel should have suspended the players even if the NCAA didn't. The subject will now undoubtedly be used in negative recruiting by rival schools and the perception nationally is that the rules are secondary to winning at Ohio State. Of course that's been my perception of a lot of big-time college athletics for some time now, but it is still painful to see such flagrant disregard for upholding integrity and doing the right thing when the correct choice is so simple. I liked that Tressel made his players commit to returning next year before allowing them to play in the bowl game, but that just wasn't enough. I think he wanted to send a message but his top priority was still to win the Sugar Bowl, which he knew he couldn't do without the suspended players. And now that the game is over, what's to stop the players from "changing their minds" and deciding that they are now going to declare for the NFL Draft?